Two Asian-Canadian(/American) friends from the 80s rewatch selected episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation in an effort to come to terms with the multicultural politics of their childhood. Both critical and nostalgic, Angry Asian Trekkies seeks to understand the allure and pitfalls of TNG's not quite post-racial longing, and to decide if they can continue to love this show in the twenty first century.
Can you trust a Romulan? Can a Romulan trust themself? In this episode we gush about the high point of Cold-War Romulan intrigue; praise and lament Picard's provincial Shakespearean humanism; relive Data and Geordi's burgeoning bromance; and finally, we ponder the tragedy of Setal/Jarok. Join us for one of our favorite episodes of TNG!
ST:TNG S2E20 We debate Suzie Plakson's performance as the firey, bi-species (really, biracial) K'Ehleyr; show our appreciation for Marina Sirtis, Goddess of Small Moments; and cringe our way through that infamous sex ritual. Can TNG think race and gender at the same time? Or is it doomed to the dance of white feminist women and brown traditional men?
ST:TNG S3E7 After breathing a sigh of relief at the greater complexity of the writing in season three, we examine the racial politics of Geordi's alliance with the Romulan Bochra; debate the ethics of Worf's refusal to donate blood to a sworn enemy; and break down a new level of Picard's realpolitik.
(ST:TNG S2E16) In trying to solve Joe's uncanny beef with John de Lancie, we analyze Q's apotheosized whiteness in relation to the Federation's (American) exceptionalism. Then we try to fathom the (faintly Oriental) technocracy that is the Borg; fail hard at hiding our crush on Sonia Gomez; show love to LeVar Burton, the man in the machine; and remind everyone: always listen to Guinan!
(ST:TNG S2E8) We recap Riker's exchange-student experience on board a Klingon ship, while a Benzite serves on board the Enterprise. The situation gets tense and there's a potential standoff between the Enterprise and the Pagh... how will Riker balance his divided loyalties? Also, Riker learns to eat live gagh, displays his physical prowess, and gets frisky with Klingon females. Good hunting, Will!
(ST: TNG S1E24) On this rewatch of Season 1's finale, we visit the Enterprise as they host some guests from the 20th century while they face off against an old foe, the Asiatic Romulans! How will this encounter end? Also, this episode sets the stage of a much more fearsome adversary to come...
(ST: TNG S1E20) We introduce the Afro-Orientalism of the Klingons; learn Worf's backstory and commiserate with his plight as an adoptee into white liberalism; visit some light racial profiling, Orientalist voyeurism, and postcolonial rage. Finally we pay homage to Michael Dorn, always shining through the white gaze. Kapla!
Rewatching "The Battle" (ST: TNG S1E9), we revisit Picard's exploits on his first command, the Stargazer, see if the Ferengi have any redeeming qualities, and learn why Joe loves this episode so much.
What's an Angry Asian Trekkie? Your hosts, Joe and Marko discuss what it was like to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation as young, and very different, Toronto Asian boys in the early 1990s, and how they started to love/hate the show while at University.
Rewatching "The Last Outpost" (ST: TNG S1E5), we break down the Ferengi as Jewish-Asians; examine the Euro-American heritage of the Federation, and, for our first ever RIKER ALERT, explain how Riker saves the day as an OG cultural appropriator.
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